Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
Hip impingement
We offer a range of state-of-the-art treatments for hip impingement and groin pain.
About FAI
The condition affects young to middle-aged adults and can be caused by repeated hip movements. It's a common condition in athletes and dancers.
Need to know
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What are the symptoms of femoroacetabular impingement? icon plus
There are two types of hip impingement: 'Cam' and 'Pincer'. Cam is when the head is not perfectly round and doesn't fit the joint. 'Pincer' is where the extra bone extends over the joint socket, causing the femur bone to bump into the rim of the socket.
Both conditions wear down the shock absorbing cartilage in the hip joint and the nerve-packed seal around the edge of the joint (labrum). This causes pain and makes it hard to move.
Other symptoms include:- stiffness in the thigh, hip, or groin
- the inability to flex the hip beyond a right angle
- pain in the groin area
- pain in the hip, groin, or lower back when resting
- clicking of the hip
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Diagnosing FAI icon plus
Your consultant will discuss your symptoms to help make a thorough diagnosis. FAI can affect people of all ages, and is often missed in 30-40-year-olds. Taking a careful history, and carrying out a thorough examination can help identify the likely cause.
Imaging, such as an MRI scan (sometimes with an arthrogram) of the hip, can help confirm the underlying diagnosis (as X-ray cannot rule out FAI). A CT scan can also be very helpful giving a 3D reconstruction of the joint. Consultants skilled in sports injury are often experts at identifying FAI. -
Potential treatment options icon plus
FAI may require keyhole surgery (hip arthroscopy) to reshape the joints, but in some cases injection therapy and robust physiotherapy or osteopathy may be enough to get a person back to full activity.
An abnormally shaped femoral head or hip socket can often be sculpted and reshaped. These procedure restore smooth movement in the hip and reduce pain. If there is an associated labral tear, this is often repaired.
Our hip specialists
Our locatins
From complex hip surgery to diagnostic tests and procedures, we provide exceptional orthopaedic care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
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The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place
London W1U 5NY
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The Wellington Hospital
Wellington Place
St John's Wood
London NW8 9LE
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London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street
London
SE1 2PR
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The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road
London
SW1W 8RH
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The Portland Hospital
205 - 209 Great Portland Street
London W1W 5AH
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Institute of Sport Exercise and Health (ISEH)
170 Tottenham Court Road
London
W1T 7HA
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Outpatients and Diagnostics at 30 Devonshire Street
30 Devonshire Street
London W1G 6PU
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HCA UK at The Shard
The Shard
32 St Thomas Street
London SE1 9BS
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Chelsea Outpatients
272 & 280 Kings Road
London SW3 5AW
Book an appointment
Our team can help with any enquiries or you can make an appointment with one of our experienced consultants.
Call us today
020 7079 4344